How to Choose an Outdoor Backpack & Cooler: Size, Materials & Performance

For water-based activities, you may need one bag for dry gear and another for food and drinks. For example, spare clothes, phones, cameras, and keys need stronger protection from water. Drinks, sandwiches, fruit, and snacks need insulation to stay cold.

Choose the Right Size

Size affects how much you can bring and how comfortable the bag feels when full.

For short solo trips, a smaller option is usually easier to carry. It can hold basic items such as a towel, phone, sunscreen, water bottle, snacks, and a change of clothes.

For a beach day, fishing trip, or outing with another person, choose a larger size with space for food, drinks, ice, and shared essentials.

For camping, boating, or full-day outdoor plans, look for more capacity and a supportive carrying system. Larger bags can carry more, but they also become heavier once packed with ice, drinks, and gear.

A Simple Size Guide

• 20L: Good for short day trips, picnics, beach outings, and light packing.

• 30L: A practical size for personal gear, towels, extra clothing, and day-use essentials.

• 35L: Better for longer trips, fishing, boating, camping, or carrying supplies for two people.

• 24-can capacity: Useful for group outings, longer beach days, road trips, and shared food and drinks.

Leave some room when packing cold storage. Ice packs or loose ice need space to work effectively, and an overfilled bag can be harder to close and carry.

Check Materials for Outdoor Use

Outdoor bags go through more than everyday bags. They may be exposed to rain, splashes, sand, saltwater, mud, sharp gear, and direct sun.

Look for materials that are:

• Easy to wipe clean after a beach, boat, or fishing trip

• Resistant to abrasion from rocks, docks, and outdoor surfaces

• Built to handle saltwater and sun exposure

• Strong enough for repeated packing and carrying

• Flexible enough to store when not in use

TPU-coated fabrics are useful for outdoor conditions because they are durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. High-denier nylon and heavy-duty coated fabrics can also offer better protection against wear than standard fabric.

RIVONOVA uses TPU-coated materials across its outdoor gear range, including 840D nylon on the waterproof backpacks option and 600D or 840D coated outer fabrics on its soft coolers. These materials are made to handle wet, sandy, and sunny environments while remaining easy to clean after use.

Consider Weather and Water Protection

Water protection matters most when you are kayaking, boating, paddleboarding, fishing near shore, or caught in changing weather.

A sealed zipper system is useful when you need stronger protection for gear that should stay dry. A roll-top closure can be a practical option for rainy conditions, splashes, and wet outdoor environments.

RIVONOVA Waterproof Backpack 30L uses an IPX7-rated waterproof construction, including an airtight zipper and TPU inner sealing layer. It is designed for protecting essentials during water-based trips.

The Roll-Top Backpack Cooler 20L/35L uses an IPX6-rated construction with a roll-seal closure. It is built for wet conditions such as rain and water splashes while providing space for food and drinks.

Water ratings describe protection under specific test conditions. For the best results, always close zippers or roll-top openings correctly, avoid unnecessary opening, and follow product-care instructions.

Look at Insulation Performance

Cold storage matters when you are bringing meals, drinks, fruit, or snacks outdoors. Good insulation helps slow down warming, but performance also depends on how you pack and use the bag.

Look for:

• Thick insulation layers

• Food-safe inner linings

• Leak-resistant construction

• Closures that limit warm air entering

• Easy-to-clean interiors

The RIVONOVA Roll-Top design uses 25 mm high-density EPE insulation and a food-grade TPU liner, with cooling performance stated at 24+ hours under suitable conditions.

For longer outings, the Magnetic Soft Cooler 24Can includes high-density EPE foam, a food-grade TPU liner, and an added insulation layer. Its cooling performance is stated at 48+ hours under suitable conditions.

Actual results depend on outdoor temperature, direct sun, the amount of ice used, whether items are pre-chilled, and how often the bag is opened.

Help Food and Drinks Stay Cold Longer

• Chill food and drinks before packing.

• Use enough ice or ice packs for the length of your trip.

• Keep the bag closed when you are not taking something out.

• Keep it in the shade whenever possible.

• Pack cold items close together to reduce empty space.

Prioritize Carrying Comfort

A bag may feel light when empty but much heavier once loaded with gear, ice, food, and drinks. Comfort features become especially important when walking from the car to a beach, boat ramp, dock, or campsite.

Useful carrying features include:

• Adjustable shoulder straps

• Chest straps for a more stable fit

• Waist straps to help distribute weight

• Quick-dry back panels

• Side handles for lifting in and out of vehicles

• Outer pockets for smaller items

• External loops for tools or accessories

RIVONOVA outdoor bags include adjustable chest and waist straps to help improve stability when carrying heavier loads. Quick-dry back panels, side pockets, tactical loops, and side handles also make it easier to organize and access commonly used items.

Choose the Right Setup for Your Trip

Kayaking and Boating

For kayaking or boating, focus first on protecting dry essentials. Keep items such as a phone, camera, wallet, spare clothing, and towel in a secure dry-storage bag. Add a separate cold-storage option if you are bringing food and drinks for a longer day on the water.

Fishing Trips

Fishing often involves sun, water, wet surfaces, and long hours outside. Choose durable materials that are easy to clean, along with enough room for drinks, snacks, and personal items.

Camping

Camping usually requires more food, more drinks, and longer cooling performance. Look for a larger capacity, strong insulation, and adjustable straps that make it easier to carry gear from the car to the campsite.

Beach Days and Picnics

For the beach, lightweight carrying, easy cleaning, and room for cold drinks are usually the biggest priorities. Choose a size that matches your group and leave enough space for ice packs.

RIVONOVA Options by Need

The Waterproof Backpack 30L is designed for gear that needs to stay dry. The Roll-Top 20L and 35L options provide flexible cold storage for day trips. The Magnetic Soft Cooler 24Can offers larger capacity, quick magnetic access, and extended insulation for longer outdoor plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size outdoor bag should I choose?

Choose based on your trip length, group size, and what you are carrying. A 20L size works well for short day trips, while 30L to 35L offers more room for longer activities. A 24-can option can be a better fit for group food and drink storage.

Do I need separate storage for dry gear and cold food?

For water-based or full-day outdoor activities, separate storage is often the most practical choice. One bag can protect dry essentials, while another keeps food and drinks cold.

What materials are best for beach and water use?

Look for durable coated materials that are easy to clean and made to handle water, sand, salt, and sun. TPU-coated fabrics are a practical choice for many outdoor conditions.

How can I improve cold storage performance?

Pre-chill everything before packing, use enough ice, reduce empty space, keep the bag closed, and avoid direct sun when possible.

What should I look for in a comfortable outdoor bag?

Choose adjustable shoulder straps, chest and waist straps, a supportive back panel, and side handles. These features can make heavier loads easier to carry.

The best outdoor setup is the one that fits your activity and packing habits. Start with what you need to protect, choose the right size, and look for materials and features that match the conditions you expect outdoors.